Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Schultz

Kenneth J. Schultz has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9868888
    Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20170248349
    Abstract: Embodiments as disclosed herein are directed to a heat pump that employs at least two different refrigerants, each of which is optimized for either a cooling operation mode or a heating operation mode. The embodiments as disclosed herein can help increase the capacity and/or efficiency of a heat pump in both the cooling operation mode and the heating operation mode. In addition, the embodiments as disclosed herein may also eliminate the need for a ground source in a relatively low ambient temperature environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ, Ronald Maurice COSBY, II
  • Publication number: 20170182869
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system (TRS) includes a first heat transfer circuit including a first compressor, a condenser, a first expansion device, and a cascade heat exchanger. The first compressor, the condenser, the first expansion device, and the cascade heat exchanger are in fluid communication such that a first heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The TRS includes a second heat transfer circuit including a second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, a second expansion device, and an evaporator. The second compressor, the cascade heat exchanger, the second expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a second heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The first heat transfer circuit and the second heat transfer circuit are arranged in thermal communication at the cascade heat exchanger such that the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid are in a heat exchange relationship at the cascade heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ, Jeffrey B. BERGE, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Vladimir SULC, Michal KOLDA, John R. SAULS
  • Publication number: 20170137681
    Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9598621
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention refrigerant compositions are disclosed. The refrigerant compositions contain comprise 11-28 weight percent difluoromethane; 34-59 weight percent pentafluoroethane; and 21-38 weight percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. The refrigerant compositions are useful in processes to produce cooling, in methods for replacing refrigerant R-404A or R-507A, and in refrigeration systems. These inventive refrigerant compositions can be used in stationary and mobile refrigeration equipment, and are particularly useful for transport refrigeration units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: Barbara Haviland Minor, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 9556372
    Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20160312095
    Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described. In particular, refrigerant compositions are described that include a two component blend, where one of the components is a refrigerant blend that, when first combined, is considered an azeotropic blend, azeotrope, near azeotropic, or the like. This component is one component of the two components of the resulting refrigerant composition, which is combined with a second component being another refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Schultz, Stephen A. Kujak
  • Publication number: 20160215192
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention refrigerant compositions are disclosed. The refrigerant compositions contain comprise 11-28 weight percent difluoromethane; 34-59 weight percent pentafluoroethane; and 21-38 weight percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. The refrigerant compositions are useful in processes to produce cooling, in methods for replacing refrigerant R-404A or R-507A, and in refrigeration systems. These inventive refrigerant compositions can be used in stationary and mobile refrigeration equipment, and are particularly useful for transport refrigeration units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: THE CHEMOURS COMPANY FC, LLC
    Inventors: BARBARA HAVILAND MINOR, KENNETH J. SCHULTZ
  • Publication number: 20160145481
    Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen A. Kujak, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20160130490
    Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for reducing flammability in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having R32 refrigerant included in the refrigerant composition. Refrigerant compositions and methods of use are described which can be used for retrofitting, servicing, controlling flammability, improving performance, lubricant solubility and miscibility, and improving the safety of an HVAC system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen A. KUJAK, Kenneth J. SCHULTZ
  • Patent number: 7421855
    Abstract: A shell-and-tube evaporator of a refrigerant system includes a refrigerant inlet distributor that traps a pocket of gaseous refrigerant to displace liquid refrigerant underneath the evaporator's tube bundle, thereby reducing the total charge of refrigerant in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the distributor comprises four sections interconnected by a central refrigerant feed line, which properly apportions the refrigerant to the four sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: H. Kenneth Ring, Kenneth J. Schultz, Steven J. Pitts, Ronald M. Cosby, II, Brian T. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20080163637
    Abstract: A shell-and-tube evaporator of a refrigerant system includes a refrigerant inlet distributor that traps a pocket of gaseous refrigerant to displace liquid refrigerant underneath the evaporator's tube bundle, thereby reducing the total charge of refrigerant in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the distributor comprises four sections interconnected by a central refrigerant feed line, which properly apportions the refrigerant to the four sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: H. Kenneth Ring, Kenneth J. Schultz, Steven J. Pitts, Ronald M. Cosby, Brian T. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6392910
    Abstract: A priority resolver for use in a CAM circuit priority encoder is provided. The priority resolver includes one or more priority resolver sub-units. Each priority resolver sub-unit includes an local hit (pehit) generation circuitry. The local hit (pehit) generation circuitry is configured to generate pehit data. Also provided as part of a priority resolver sub-unit is a resolve processing circuit that is coupled to the local hit (pehit) generation circuitry. The resolve processing circuit is configured to receive the pehit data and an enable signal. Preferably, the resolve processing circuit includes input gating circuitry. An output differentiator and gating circuit is further provided as part of the priority resolver sub-unit and is configured to receive an output of the resolve processing circuit. In this embodiment, the priority resolver sub-unit is implemented in one or more stages of the priority resolver, and each stage is configured to include one or more priority resolver sub-units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: SiberCore Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Edward Podaima, Kenneth J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6362990
    Abstract: A three-port content addressable memory (CAM) device and method thereof are provided. The three-port CAM device includes a CAM, a search control block, and a maintenance control block. The CAM is configured to store data. The search control block is arranged to receive search data and search control signals via a first port for searching the search data in the CAM. The search control block is further configured to perform search operations by accessing the CAM. The search operations are performed within search cycles with each search operation being performed over multiple clock cycles. In this configuration, more than one search operations are capable of being performed simultaneously over one or more clock cycles. Search results of the search operations are output via a second port. The maintenance control block is configured to perform read/write operations by reading or writing specified data in the CAM via a third port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: SiberCore Technologies
    Inventors: G. F. Randall Gibson, Farhad Shafai, Kenneth J. Schultz